As I looked over the various scripture readings from last Sunday, the parable of the mustard seed stood out for me. It is found in Matthew 13:31-32 and goes like this:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” 

When I think of this scripture I also think of another reference to a mustard seed that is found in Matthew 17:20, “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” 

I like to consider these two verses together because one deals with personal faith and the other deals with personal actions that bring God’s reign of love (or kingdom) into reality on earth. These two concepts are two sides of the same coin. A small seed of faith grows exponentially and can achieve great things and small seeds of action can bring about a kingdom of love.

The first thing that strikes me is how counter-cultural this parable is in relation to the world we live in. When we consider the images and messages that come our way every day the influencers in our world seem to be the athletic, beautiful, famous, powerful, or wealthy. Ours is a culture of “big, mighty, and exceptional.” Who would think that anything significant would come from a mustard seed? In our modern culture, it is awful to be considered small, tiny and seemingly insignificant? Who wants to be labelled as average? Power, money, influence, notoriety—these are the qualities that make things happen.

So, what can the parable of the tiny mustard seed offer us?

Scripture often has a way of turning conventional thinking on its head. In our culture where power, wealth, and winning are so important, the parable of the mustard seed is revolutionary. It challenges us to look at our world through a different lens. God’s kingdom seems to operate by a distinctive and unique set of “laws” that are very different than what we see and experience day-to-day. In scripture, the weak become strong, the lame walk, and the blind see. A tiny mustard seed grows into faith that can move mountains. A tiny mustard seed can transform our world.

What we see is that the kingdom of God is not a kingdom of power and might, but a reign of love. The kingdom of God (kingdom of love) comes into being by spreading from person to person, not by force. It is a quiet revolution: at first silent and imperceptible (like the mustard seed planted in the earth), but ultimately dynamic and transformative. Love is not linear, it grows exponentially. 

The parable of the mustard seed challenges us to rethink what is possible. Even the tiniest of faith or positive action can have an impact that is disproportionate to the “investment.” 

When we consider the many needs in our world we can become disheartened and overwhelmed. Why should I (or we) “plant our little mustard seed” when there are others around us who are going to be better at it—whatever “it” is—than we are?  

But God doesn’t care about my credentials. It is not a matter of how hard I work or how good we are. We are enough! Instead, we are merely asked to respond to the invitation—the invitation to plant our mustard seed. To offer who we are, where we are. We are not asked to worry about whether our efforts will be successful, noticed or honoured. God is the soil that makes those seeds grow and God has promised that even the smallest amount of faith or faithful action will bring things into our life, our community, and the world and the results are often beyond our expectations. Like the ripples made by a small stone thrown into the water, our faith and actions send out waves into the world around us.

The parable of the mustard seed meets us where we are and invites us to step out in faith and in action because the outcome of planting these small seeds is big. Not only does the seed grow into a big tree, but it is a place that birds come to nest. In essence, the seeds build and transform a place into a community of growth, nourishment, and refuge.

These messages are brought to life and communicated to our students through opportunities to exercise leadership and through mission points that recognise ‘mustard seed’ actions that bring the vision of our school to life in the areas of faith, respect, learning and service.

I pray that we can personally and communally seize every opportunity to sow the seeds of faith in action in the week ahead.

Tina Murray

Principal

A Suggestion Box has been installed in the Admin Walkway.

This box is available for students and parents to submit ideas and suggestions that could be implemented to improve our school. Please ensure names are included so ideas can be followed up.